Xewkija Tigers 3
Xaghra United 2

Xewkija shot back to the top of the standings after this hard-earned victory over mid-table side Xaghra.

The Tigers, coming from a previous upset to direct rivals Ghajnsielem, took command of play from the early stages and opened a double lead inside the opening 14 minutes after goals from Mahjoub Touali and Thierry Tazameta.

Xaghra managed to regain composure and reduced the arrears in the 31st minute thanks to John Camilleri who then squandered a golden opportunity to level matters just before the break when hesitating in front of the Xewkija goal.

Xewkija scored again in the 75th minute through Lawrence Attard. He placed behind goalkeeper Zammit after a fine solo move during which he dribbled past three players.

But that was not the end of it as Xaghra came fighting back. They scored two minutes later with another goal from Camilleri following a melee inside Xewkija's box.

The goal was not enough to save the match for Xaghra though with Xewkija's Xuereb saving the points for his side in the 89th minute when he turned to corner an attempt by Bezerra de Lima.

Xewkija: J. Xuereb, L. Attard, B. Njoku, M. Cremona, S. Farrugia, J. Portelli (C. Bugeja 51), M. Touali, R. Sabri, M. Camilleri (J. Cefai 84), T. Tazameta (J. Xerri 68), U. Nwoko.

Xaghra: B. Zammit, A. Debono (J. Galea 40), S. Sultana, L. Blanco de Castro, M. Buhagiar, J. Mercieca (J. Attard 82), B. Bezerra de Lima, J. Sultana, D. Attard, D. Olalekan, J. Camilleri.

Referee: Adrian Casha.

Zebbug Rovers 1
Nadur Youngsters 4

This was Nadur's third consecutive victory to move further away from the bottom placing. With Kercem and Xaghra, they are now involved in a tussle to avoid the relegation play-off.

It was a deserved victory for Nadur as the scoreline clearly shows. They produced better qualities and opened the score in the third minute from an Alex Simoncic free-kick.

Zebbug's reaction was sterile and in the 30th minute the score became 2-0 following a cross-shot by Kevin Buttigieg that gave the Ûebbu© keeper no chance.

Just before the break, the Rovers got back into contention with a goal by Peter Ohaka following an inviting pass by Cardona. They continued to insist on attack after the break and were unlucky not to have scored the equaliser in the 49th minute when a Quinhione free-kick hit the bar.

But then, Zebbug keeper Agius failed to hold a cross and Simoncic was on the right spot to hit inside an empty net - 3-1.

Nadur were now in total control. Nkwanko and Aldrin Muscat missed easy chances but in the 86th minute they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Buttigieg. Nkwanko scored from the spot.

Zebbug: V. Agius, M. Cordina (J. Utulu 65), J. Cordina, A. Tramboo, F. Magrin, P. Ohaka, M. Azzopardi, L. Quinhione, C. Mercieca, D. Dra-ganov, P. Cardona (C. Cini 81).

Nadur: N. Muscat, K. Buttigieg, J. Meilak, P. Camilleri, M. Buttigieg, A. Simoncic, C. Attard, J. Camilleri, R. Nagem, A. Muscat (A. Portelli 79), E. Nkwanko.

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

Division Two

Oratory Youths 2
Qala St Joseph 1

Oratory notched a useful victory to maintain their charge for a runners-up spot with Sannat enjoying a clear eight-point lead at the top.

Qala opened the score in the 16th minute through Denis Abela but Oratory turned the tide in their favour with two goals in quick succession by Osy Nkwocha between the 56th and 60th minutes.

Qala's Aloysius Ihbeulu and Mario Scicluna, of Oratory, were sent off late in the match, both for double bookings.

Gharb Rangers 0
St Lawrence Spurs 2

St Lawrence Spurs beat bottom placed Gharb Rangers to keep their promotion hopes alive.

Ogun Abimbola broke the stalemate in the 75th minute and the same player made sure of the three points with a goal in stoppage time.